Saltdogs Sweep Diablos

Jino Gonzalez tossed seven shutout frames and the Saltdogs launched three home runs en route to a 9-0 win over the El Paso Diablos at Haymarket Park Wednesday night.

Gavin Dickey hit a solo home run in the first inning, Phil Hawke belted a two-run shot in the seventh and Rafael Alvarez added a solo homer in the eighth as the Saltdogs completed their first series sweep of the season.

Gonzalez (2-0) pitched seven innings, allowing six hits while striking out six and walking one to earn the win.

Scott Hodsdon (2-6) went four innings, allowing six runs – four earned – on nine hits to suffer the loss.

At the beginning of the ninth inning it was announced at Haymarket Park that the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim had purchased the contract of Blake Gailen.

Gailen finished his Saltdogs career with a 1-for-3 performance, and leaves Lincoln with a league-high .406 batting average in 69 games.

The center fielder will report to Double-A Arkansas of the Texas League Friday. Gailen becomes the second Saltdog to have their contract purchased by a big-league organization this year, after Tommy Palica joined Philadelphia in June.

Lincoln will be on the road Thursday to open a weekend series at Grand Prairie Friday night at 7:05 p.m.